JP7673400B2 - Connector device, power converter, and load device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector device that enables the exchange of power between a power supply path and a load device, and to a load device that includes the connector device.

Conventionally, there is known a load device such as a motor that is integrally attached with an inverter device for driving it. By using a load device with such a configuration, it is possible to omit wiring, but when it is necessary to replace the inverter device with another device for maintenance purposes, the load device itself must be replaced, resulting in high maintenance costs. Therefore, for example, in the technology shown in Patent Document 1, the inverter device is composed of a power unit and a control unit, and each is configured to be detachable from the other, allowing only the necessary parts to be replaced, thereby reducing maintenance costs.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-247903

In a system in which power is supplied from a power source to multiple corresponding power converters to drive multiple load devices, the number of wires also increases as the number of load devices to be driven increases, and the space occupied by the wires increases, which hinders the miniaturization of the entire machine including the load devices, and the workload of connecting the wires also increases. Therefore, in order to reduce the number of wires for power supply, a method of daisy-chaining multiple power converters to a power supply path for power supply is sometimes adopted. However, when power is supplied to the power converter of the load device using the daisy-chain connection method as described above, a part of the current flowing into the load device is supplied to the power converter of the load device, and the remainder flows into the downstream load device. Therefore, the current passing through the load device differs depending on the connection order of the daisy-chain connection to the power supply path (hereinafter referred to as the "connection order"). In other words, the closer the connection order in the daisy-chain connection is to the power source located upstream, the greater the current flowing into the load device. As a result, the wire from the power source to the power converter of the first load device closest to the power source needs to have a wire diameter of an appropriate thickness, taking into account the fact that the largest current will flow in.

Generally, when manufacturing load devices, the connection order in the daisy chain connection method of the load devices is not fixed, so in order to accommodate a certain degree of usage, it is necessary to install power input/output parts (connectors, etc.) with a relatively large margin in the rated current, regardless of the magnitude of the current expected in the load device. As a result, depending on the usage of the load device, the power input/output parts may have excessive specifications, requiring wiring connections with unnecessarily thick wire diameters, which is inconvenient for users.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide a technology that enables suitable wiring even when a daisy chain connection method is used to supply power to a load device.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention focuses on a connector device that connects a load device that is daisy-chained to a power supply line to the power supply line and enables the transfer of power between the two. By making it possible to suitably change the combination of the connector device and the load device, it becomes possible to form a suitable input/output part according to the current flowing in the daisy-chain connection.

Specifically, the present invention is a connector device that connects a load device that is daisy-chained to a power supply path to the power supply path and enables the transfer of power between the two, and includes a housing, an upstream connector that is connected to the upstream side of the power supply path, a downstream connector that is connected to the downstream side of the power supply path, and a load connector that branches and supplies power to the main body of the load device from an internal supply path that connects the upstream connector and the downstream connector within the housing. The connector device is configured to be separate from the main body of the load device, and is configured to be able to change the combination of rated currents of at least one of the upstream connector and the downstream connector for the load device depending on the current flowing through the upstream connector and the current flowing through the downstream connector.

The connector device configured in this manner functions as an input/output part for power supplied to a load device connected in a daisy chain to the power supply line. Therefore, part of the current flowing into the upstream connector flows into the load device via the load connector, and the remaining current flows into another load device connected in a daisy chain further downstream via the downstream connector. Since the connector device is configured separately from the main body of the load device, it is possible to provide the load device with a combination of upstream connectors and downstream connectors with different rated currents. Since different rated currents of connectors result in different wire diameters for the wiring connected thereto, by providing the load device with a connector with a rated current that is suitable for the current flowing into the load device, it is possible to avoid using wiring with an unnecessarily thick wire diameter.

In the above connector device, the rated current of the upstream connector may be set to be greater than the rated current of the downstream connector. In a daisy chain connection, the current flowing through the upstream connector may be greater than the current flowing through the downstream connector. Therefore, by providing a difference in rated current between the upstream connector and the downstream connector as described above, more suitable linear wiring is possible. Alternatively, the rated current of the upstream connector and the rated current of the downstream connector may be set to the same rated current.

Here, in the connector device described above, the connector device may be detachable from the body of the load device, and when the connector device is attached to the body of the load device, a state may be created in which at least a portion of the power of the power supply path can be supplied to the load device via the load connector. By configuring the connector device to be detachable from the body of the load device in this way, it becomes easier for the user to select a combination of upstream connectors and downstream connectors that have rated currents suitable for the usage conditions of the load device.

In the connector device described above, the housing may be formed in a box shape having multiple sides, and the upstream connector and the downstream connector may be provided on different sides of the multiple sides. More preferably, the side on which the upstream connector is provided and the side on which the downstream connector is provided are two sides that are arranged opposite each other. By providing each connector on a different side of the housing in this way, it is possible to avoid the wiring from being concentrated at a position of the connector device, and the wiring work for daisy chain connection may be made easier. Alternatively, both the upstream connector and the downstream connector may be provided on the same side of the housing.

Here, in the connector device described above, the connector device may have a plurality of downstream connectors connected to the upstream connector and the internal supply path. According to this configuration, the current flowing into one upstream connector, excluding the current flowing into the load connector, is output to the downstream load device connected in a daisy chain via the plurality of downstream connectors. The rated currents of the plurality of downstream connectors may all be the same, or alternatively, each of the rated currents may be different, or further alternatively, some of the rated currents may be the same and the remaining rated currents may be different.

The present invention can also be viewed from the perspective of a load device that is daisy-chained to a power supply path and receives power from the power supply path, the load device including a connector device that is detachable from the main body of the load device and connects the power supply path to the load device to enable the transfer of power between them. In the load device, the connector device includes a housing, an upstream connector that is connected to the upstream side of the power supply path, a downstream connector that is connected to the downstream side of the power supply path, and a load connector that branches off and supplies power to the main body of the load device from an internal supply path that connects the upstream connector and the downstream connector within the housing. When the connector device is attached to the body of the load device, a state is created in which at least a portion of the power of the power supply path can be supplied to the load device via the load connector, and further, by changing the combination of the connector device with the body of the load device, the combination of the rated current of at least one of the upstream connector and the downstream connector with respect to the load device can be changed according to the current flowing through the upstream connector and the current flowing through the downstream connector.

In a load device configured in this manner, power is supplied to the load device in a daisy chain connection via a detachable connector device. This connector device makes it possible to provide the load device with a connector having a rated current that is appropriately matched to the current flowing into the load device, thereby making it possible to avoid the use of wiring with an unnecessarily thick wire diameter. The technical ideas disclosed above about the connector device can also be applied to the above load device as long as no technical inconsistencies arise.

In the above load device, the connector device may be configured to be detachable from the load device by changing its orientation so that the relative positions of the upstream connector and the downstream connector with respect to the body of the load device can be changed. The arrangement (extension direction) of the upstream wiring and the downstream wiring in a daisy chain connection varies depending on the individual form. Therefore, by configuring the connector device to be detachable and detachable in this manner, the orientation of each connector can be aligned as much as possible in the extension direction of the wiring, thereby reducing the burden of wiring work on the user. And more preferably, the connector device is attached to the body of the load device so that the upstream connector is located on the side of another load device adjacent to the upstream side in the daisy chain connection, and the downstream connector is located on the side of yet another load device adjacent to the downstream side in the daisy chain connection.

The load device described above may be a motor that is integrally equipped with a power converter that generates driving power, and may be configured so that power is supplied to the power converter via the load connector.

The present invention can also be viewed from the viewpoint of a power converter that supplies power to a load device that is daisy-chained to a power supply path. The power converter includes a connector device that is detachable from the power converter, the connector device having a housing, an upstream connector that is connected to the upstream side of the power supply path, a downstream connector that is connected to the downstream side of the power supply path, and a load connector for branching and supplying power to the power converter side from an internal supply path that connects the upstream connector and the downstream connector within the housing. When the connector device is attached to the power converter, a state is created in which at least a portion of the power of the power supply path can be supplied to the power converter via the load connector,
The connector device is configured to change the combination of the rated current of at least one of the upstream connector and the downstream connector for the power converter according to the current flowing through the upstream connector and the current flowing through the downstream connector by changing the combination of the connector device with the main body of the power converter. Note that the technical ideas disclosed above regarding the connector device and the load device can also be applied to the above power converter as long as no technical inconsistency occurs.

Allows optimal wiring even when a daisy chain connection method is used to supply power to a load device.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a daisy chain connection for powering multiple motors. FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing a schematic configuration of an input/output portion for supplying power to motors connected in a daisy chain; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the current flowing through each motor connected in a daisy chain and a schematic configuration of the input/output parts for power supply in each motor. FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing a schematic configuration of an input/output portion for supplying power to motors connected in a daisy chain. FIG. 4 is a third diagram showing a schematic configuration of an input/output portion for supplying power to motors connected in a daisy chain. FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram showing a schematic configuration of an input/output portion for supplying power to motors connected in a daisy chain. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power converter that supplies power to motors connected in a daisy chain.

<Application Examples>
An application example of the connector device of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system configuration for supplying power to each motor in an equipment device including a plurality of motors 5a to 5c as load devices so as to achieve a predetermined purpose (processing, transport, etc.). In this specification, when there is no need to identify each individual motor, the reference number is set to "5" and the motor is referred to as "motor 5" (see FIG. 2). Examples of the equipment device include various mechanical devices (for example, an arm of an industrial robot or a transport device). The motor 5 is, for example, an AC servo motor integrally equipped with a servo driver including an inverter device 43 (see FIG. 2). An encoder is attached to the motor 5, and a parameter signal related to the operation of the motor 5 is fed back and transmitted to the servo driver by the encoder.

Furthermore, a programmable logic controller (PLC) 2 transmits an operation command signal related to the operation (motion) of each motor 5 to a servo driver built into each motor 5. Based on the operation command signal from the PLC 2 and the feedback signal from the encoder, the servo driver performs servo control related to the drive of the motor 5, i.e., calculates a command value related to the operation of the motor 5, and controls an inverter device 43 to supply a drive current to the motor 5 so that the operation of the motor 5 follows the command value.

The inverter device 43 of each motor 5 receives AC power, which is supplied from an external AC power source 100 via a power supply system L0, converted into DC power by the AC-DC converter 1. Specifically, the output side of the AC-DC converter 1 is connected to the power input side of the motor 5a via a cable L1, which is a power supply path, and the power output side of the motor 5a is connected to the power input side of the motor 5b via a cable L2, which is a power supply path, and the power output side of the motor 5b is connected to the power input side of the motor 5c via a cable L3, which is a power supply path. That is, the motors 5a to 5c are daisy-chain-connected to the cables L1 to L3, which are the power supply paths, so that the DC power generated by the AC-DC converter 1 is delivered to each of the motors 5a to 5c.

The configuration of the motor 5 will now be described with reference to FIG. 2. The motor 5 has a motor body 4 and a connector device 3. Note that the motor 5a shown in FIG. 1 has a motor body 4a and a connector device 3a, the motor 5b has a motor body 4b and a connector device 3b, and the motor 5c has a motor body 4c and a connector device 3c, with the motor bodies 4a to 4c corresponding to the motor body 4 and the connector devices 3a to 3c corresponding to the connector device 3.

The connector device 3 is configured to connect the motor 5, which is daisy-chained to each cable that is a power supply path, to each cable, and to enable the exchange of power between the two. Specifically, the connector device 3 has a box-shaped (e.g., rectangular) housing 36. On the top surface of the housing 36, a connector 31 that can be mated with a connector 11a provided at the end of the cable 11 that is a power supply path, and a connector 32 that can be mated with a connector 12a provided at the end of the cable 12 that is a power supply path are provided. Inside the housing 36, the two connectors 31 and 32 are connected by an internal supply path 33.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, cable 11 is the cable on the upstream side (the side closer to AC-DC converter 1) in the daisy chain connection, and cable 12 is the cable on the downstream side (the side farther from AC-DC converter 1) in the daisy chain connection. For example, in the case of motor 5a shown in FIG. 1, cable L1 corresponds to cable 11, and cable L2 corresponds to cable 12. Therefore, connector 31 into which connector 11a of cable 11 fits corresponds to the upstream connector of the present application, and connector 32 into which connector 12a of cable 12 fits corresponds to the downstream connector of the present application.

Furthermore, a connector 35 that can be mated with a connector 41 provided on the motor body 4 and corresponds to the load connector of the present application is provided on the underside of the housing 36 of the connector device 3. The connector 35 is connected to the device supply path 33 via a branch supply path 34. Therefore, the connector device 3 is configured to branch a portion of the power input to the connector 31, which is the upstream connector, to the connector 35, which is the load connector, and output the remaining power to the connector 32, which is the downstream connector.

The motor body 4 includes a rotor having an output shaft, a stator, an encoder, and other components, and is integrally equipped with a servo driver including an inverter device 43 that generates a drive current for driving the rotor. The inverter device 43 is connected to the connector 41 via a power supply path 42, so that power for driving the motor 5 is supplied via the connector 41.

Here, the connector device 3 is configured such that its housing 36 can be attached and detached to the motor body 4. The housing 36 can be attached and detached by a known method such as a snap type or a screw type. When the housing 36 is attached to the motor body 4, the connector 41 of the motor body 4 and the connector 35 of the connector device 3 are maintained in a mated state. Although only one type of connector device 3 is shown in FIG. 2, multiple types of connector devices with different combinations of rated currents of the connectors 31 and 32 are prepared for the connector device 3. For example, in FIG. 3 described later, a connector device 3a having a connector 31 with a relatively high rated current and a connector 32 with a relatively low rated current, and connector devices 3b and 3c having connectors 31' and 32' with relatively low rated currents are prepared.

In this embodiment, the motor 5 can be formed by selecting the connector device 3 having a connector with a rated current according to the magnitude of the current flowing through the daisy chain connection and attaching it to the motor body 4. In other words, the combination of the rated currents of the connectors 31 and 32 for the motor 5 can be suitably changed according to the current flowing through the connectors 31 and 32. Conventionally, when manufacturing a motor, it is unknown where the motor will be connected in the daisy chain connection, so the rated current of the connector must be made to be an excessive specification so that it can withstand a certain amount of large current. However, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the connector device is selected and attached based on the actual current flowing through the daisy chain connection, so that the combination of the rated currents of the connectors for the motor can be made appropriate, and the wire diameter of the cables 11 and 12 connected to the connectors 31 and 32 can be prevented from becoming unnecessarily thick. This contributes to reducing the burden of wiring work and saving space when configuring equipment and the like including the motor 5.

A more preferable form of the connector device 3 in a daisy chain connection will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The form of the daisy chain connection of the motors 5a to 5c shown in FIG. 3 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1. The motor 5a located at the most upstream side in the daisy chain connection is a motor with a larger capacity than the other two motors 5b and 5c. Therefore, if the current flowing from the AC-DC converter 1 is 100%, 100% of the current flows into the motor 5a, 40% of which is used to drive the motor 5a, and the remaining 60% flows into the next motor 5b. Then, in the motor 5b, 30% of the 60% that flows in is used to drive the motor 5b, and the remaining 30% flows into the next motor 5c. Then, in the motor 5c, 30% of the current that flows in is used to drive the motor 5c.

When the motors are connected in a daisy chain in this way, the motor located upstream will have a larger current flowing in, and therefore each connector 31, 32 of the connector device 3 is required to have a rated current that can withstand this large current. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connector device 3a is formed so that the rated current of the connector 31 of the connector device 3a in the motor 5a is a relatively large value, and the rated current of the connector 32 is a relatively small value. That is, in the connector device 3a, the rated current values of the connectors 31 and 32 are different. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the capacity of the internal supply path 33a in the section from the connector 31 to the branch supply path 34 in the connector device 3a is designed to be larger than the capacity of the internal supply path 33b in the section from the branch supply path 34 to the connector 32.

On the other hand, the connector devices 3b and 3c are formed so that the rated current of the connectors 31' and 32' of the connector devices 3b and 3c in the motors 5b and 5c is a relatively small value (the same rated current as the connector 32). The connector device 3a is attached to the motor body 4a to form the motor 5a, the connector device 3b is attached to the motor body 4b to form the motor 5b, and the connector device 3c is attached to the motor body 4c to form the motor 5c.

In this way, by preparing connector devices with rated current values for the connectors of each connector device corresponding to the actual connection position of the motor in the daisy chain connection and attaching them to the motor body, it is possible to more precisely adjust the wire diameter of each cable that forms the daisy chain connection. This makes it possible to more effectively reduce the burden of wiring work and save space when configuring equipment, etc. that includes a motor.

<Modification 1>
A modified example of the connector device 3 and the motor 5 to which it is attached will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The motor 5 shown in the upper part (a) of Fig. 4 is equivalent to the motor formed by attaching the connector device 3a shown in Fig. 3 to the motor body 4a. Therefore, the rated current of the connector 31 on the upstream side of the connector device 3 is a relatively large value, and the rated current of the connector 32 on the downstream side is a relatively small value. Here, in this modified example, even when the housing 36 of the connector device 3 is rotated 180 degrees and attached to the motor body, it is configured so that the connector 35 can be attached to the motor body 4 in a state where the connector 35 and the connector 41 of the motor body 4 are properly fitted together. The state in which the connector device 3 is attached to the motor body 4 in a state rotated 180 degrees from the state shown in the upper part (a) is shown in the lower part (b).

By configuring in this way, it is possible to accommodate different daisy chain connection forms even with one type of connector device 3. In a daisy chain connection, motors are connected in sequence, so depending on the arrangement of the motor in the equipment, the relative relationship of the upstream side (or downstream side) in the daisy chain connection with a specific part of the motor (e.g., the output shaft of the motor) is not always the same. For example, in a state where the motor 5 is arranged in the equipment as shown in the upper part (a) of Figure 4, if the upstream side of the daisy chain connection is located on the right side of the figure, the cables 11 and 12 will cross on the housing 36 of the connector device 3, which is not a desirable wiring state. In some cases, the shells of the connectors of each cable may interfere with each other. In such a case, as described above, the housing 36 can be inverted 180 degrees and attached to the motor body 4 to form a desirable daisy chain connection wiring state.

In the above example, the housing 36 of the connector device 3 is inverted 180 degrees, but as an alternative, the housing 36 may be rotated at an angle other than 180 degrees (e.g., 45 degrees, 90 degrees, etc.) and attached to the motor body 4. Even when rotated and attached, the fit between the connector 35 of the connector device 3 and the connector 41 of the motor body 4 must be guaranteed.

<Modification 2>
A modified example of the connector device 3 and the motor 5 to which it is attached will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In this modified example, the connector device 3 is provided with two connectors 320 as downstream connectors. Specifically, two connectors 320 are provided on the upper surface of the housing 36 in addition to the one connector 31. The connectors 320 are substantially equivalent to the connectors 32 described above. The one connector 31 and the two connectors 320 are connected by an internal supply path 330 inside the housing 36, and the connector 35 is further connected to the internal supply path 330 via a branch supply path 34. Therefore, the connector device 3 of this modified example is configured to branch a part of the power input to the connector 31, which is the upstream connector, to the connector 35, which is the load connector, and branch and output the remaining power to each of the two downstream connectors 320.

By using the connector device 3 configured in this way, it is also possible to build a daisy chain connection that branches into two on the downstream side. Also, just like the above examples, the connector device can be selected based on the actual current flowing through the daisy chain connection, and the combination of rated currents of the connectors for the motor can be optimized, thereby preventing the wire diameter of the cables 11, 12, 12 connected to the connectors 31, 320, 320 from becoming unnecessarily thick.

<Modification 3>
A modified example of the connector device 3 and the motor 5 to which it is attached will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In this modified example, the connector 31, which is an upstream connector, and the connector 32, which is a downstream connector, are disposed on different faces of the housing 36. Specifically, the connector 31 is provided on the upstream face of the housing 36, and the connector 32 is provided on the downstream face of the housing 36. That is, the connectors 31 and 32 are provided on two opposing faces of the faces constituting the housing 36. By forming the connector device 3 in this manner, it is possible to smoothly realize a daisy chain connection, and it is possible to select a connector device based on the current that actually flows in the daisy chain connection, and to appropriately combine the rated current of the connector with the motor.

<Modification 4>
An example of an inverter device 43 to which a connector device 3 is attached will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In this modification, the connector device 3 has the same configuration as that shown in Fig. 2, but the inverter device 43 is not integrated with the motor main body 4 but is configured as a separate body, and the connector device 3 is attached to the inverter device 43. The connector device 3 is detachable from the inverter device 43. The connector 35 of the connector device 3 is connected to a connector 431 provided on the inverter device 43, and further, the output of the inverter device 43 is input to the connector 41 of the motor main body 4 via a connector 432 and a power cable 45 connected thereto.

Here, when the connector device 3 is attached to the inverter device 43, a portion of the power from the cable 11 is supplied to the inverter device 43 via the connector 35. In the inverter device 43 configured in this manner, the combination of rated currents of at least one of the connectors 31, 32 for the inverter device 43 can be changed by replacing the detachable connector device 3 according to the currents flowing through the connectors 31 and 32. This allows a smooth daisy chain connection of the motor 5 to be realized, and the connector device can be selected based on the currents actually flowing through the daisy chain connection to ensure an appropriate combination of rated currents for the connectors for the motor.

<Appendix 1>
A connector device (3) that connects a load device (5) that is daisy-chain-connected to a power supply path (L1, L2, L3) to the power supply path (L1, L2, L3) and enables power to be exchanged between the two,
A housing (36);
An upstream connector (31) connected to the upstream side (11) of the power supply path;
A downstream connector (32) connected to the downstream side (12) of the power supply path;
a load connector (35) for branching and supplying electric power from an internal supply path (33) connecting the upstream connector (31) and the downstream connector (32) within the housing (36) to a main body (4) of the load device;
Equipped with
The connector is configured to be separate from the main body (4) of the load device (5), and is configured to be able to change a combination of rated currents of at least one of the upstream connector (31) and the downstream connector (32) for the load device (5) in accordance with a current flowing through the upstream connector (31) and a current flowing through the downstream connector (32).
Connector device (3).

<Appendix 2>
A power converter (43) that supplies power to a load device that is daisy-chained to a power supply path (L1, L2, L3),
A connector device (3) is provided that is detachable from the power converter (43),
The connector device (3) comprises:
A housing (36);
An upstream connector (31) connected to the upstream side (11) of the power supply path;
A downstream connector (32) connected to the downstream side (12) of the power supply path;
a load connector (35) for branching off and supplying electric power from an internal supply path (33) connecting the upstream connector (31) and the downstream connector (32) to the power converter (43) side within the housing (36);
having
When the connector device (3) is attached to the power converter (43), a state is created in which at least a portion of the power of the power supply path (L1, L2, L3) can be supplied to the power converter (43) via the load connector (35),
By changing the combination of the connector device (3) with respect to the power converter (43), the combination of the rated current of at least one of the upstream connector (31) and the downstream connector (32) with respect to the power converter (43) can be changed according to the current flowing through the upstream connector (31) and the current flowing through the downstream connector (32).
Power converter.

3, 3a, 3b, 3c: Connector device 4, 4a, 4b, 4c: Motor body 5, 5a, 5b, 5c: Motor 31: Connector (upstream connector)
32: Connector (downstream connector)
33: Supply path within the device 34: Branch supply path 35: Connector (load connector)

Claims (16)

a plurality of connector devices that connect the load devices, which are daisy-chained to the power supply path, to the power supply path and enable the transfer of power between the load devices and the power supply path;
Each of the plurality of connector devices includes:
A housing and
an upstream connector connected to the upstream side of the power supply path;
a downstream connector connected to a downstream side of the power supply path;
a load connector for branching off electric power from an internal supply path connecting the upstream connector and the downstream connector within the housing to a main body side of the load device and supplying the electric power thereto;
Equipped with
a connector device that is configured to be separate from the main body of the load device, and that is configured to change the combination of the rated current of at least one of the upstream connector and the downstream connector for the load device by selecting from among the plurality of connector devices according to the current flowing through the upstream connector and the current flowing through the downstream connector;
A plurality of connector devices. In at least one of the plurality of connector devices, a rated current of the upstream connector is set to be greater than a rated current of the downstream connector.
10. A plurality of connector devices according to claim 1. In at least one of the plurality of connector devices, a rated current of the upstream connector and a rated current of the downstream connector are set to the same rated current.
10. A plurality of connector devices according to claim 1. the connector device is detachably attached to a body of the load device,
When the connector device is attached to a body of the load device, a state is created in which at least a portion of the power of the power supply path can be supplied to the load device via the load connector.
A plurality of connector devices according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The housing is formed in a box shape having a plurality of sides,
The upstream connector and the downstream connector are provided on different surfaces among the plurality of surfaces.
A plurality of connector devices according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The surface on which the upstream connector is provided and the surface on which the downstream connector is provided are two surfaces arranged opposite to each other.
6. A multiple connector arrangement as claimed in claim 5. the connector device includes a plurality of downstream connectors connected to the upstream connector and the internal supply path;
A plurality of connector devices according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A power converter that supplies power to a load device that is daisy-chained to a power supply path,
a connector device that is detachable from the power converter;
The connector device comprises:
A housing and
an upstream connector connected to the upstream side of the power supply path;
a downstream connector connected to a downstream side of the power supply path;
a load connector for supplying electric power to the power converter side from an internal supply path connecting the upstream connector and the downstream connector within the housing;
having
When the connector device is attached to the power converter, a state is created in which at least a portion of the power of the power supply path can be supplied to the power converter via the load connector,
By changing the combination of the connector device with respect to the power converter, the combination of the rated current of at least one of the upstream connector and the downstream connector with respect to the power converter can be changed according to the current flowing through the upstream connector and the current flowing through the downstream connector.
Power converter. The power converter is provided integrally with a main body of the load device,
the connector device is configured to be detachable from the power converter by changing its orientation so that a relative position of the upstream connector and the downstream connector with respect to a main body of the load device can be changed.
9. The power converter of claim 8. the connector device is attached to the power converter such that the upstream connector is located on the side of another load device adjacent to the upstream side in the daisy chain connection, and the downstream connector is located on the side of yet another load device adjacent to the downstream side in the daisy chain connection;
10. The power converter of claim 9. The rated current of the upstream connector is set to be greater than the rated current of the downstream connector.
The power converter according to any one of claims 8 to 10. The rated current of the upstream connector and the rated current of the downstream connector are set to the same rated current.
The power converter according to any one of claims 8 to 10. The housing is formed in a box shape having a plurality of sides,
The upstream connector and the downstream connector are provided on different surfaces among the plurality of surfaces.
A power converter according to any one of claims 8 to 12. The surface on which the upstream connector is provided and the surface on which the downstream connector is provided are two surfaces arranged opposite to each other.
14. The power converter of claim 13. the connector device includes a plurality of downstream connectors connected to the upstream connector and the internal supply path;
A power converter according to any one of claims 8 to 14. A load device that is supplied with drive power by the power converter according to any one of claims 8 to 15 and is daisy-chain connected to the power supply path via the power converter,
The power converter is integrally provided in the main body of the load device.
Load device.

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